FORMER Dale player and coach Tony Ford will be Alan Buckley's "trusted aid" as they take on the challenge of turning the team's fortunes around.

The new boss spoke last week of appointing someone he has worked with before, and Ford fits the bill after a spell as a player under Buckley at Grimsby. He also knows the Dale players following a three-year spell as both player and assistant to Steve Parkin.

"I'm very happy to be back," said Ford, just after agreeing terms on Thursday afternoon. "I've been out of the game for eight months and that feels like a long time. Sometimes you think you won't get back in."

Ford moved to Spotland with Parkin in 1999 after the pair had spent three years in charge at Mansfield. They quickly established a good rapport with the fans and guided the team to the brink of the Third Division play-offs on two occasions.

Times have changes somewhat, but Ford is relishing the task ahead. "There's always a challenge in football. Before I came to Rochdale they had a couple of bad seasons. We pushed them toward better times, but they took a bit of a step backwards last season."

And he's not scared to retrace his steps - something that has seen many in the football world come unstuck.

"People say 'never go back', but I went back to Grimsby (under Buckley) and did all right. I don't think there's anything wrong with it," he said.

And he is particularly looking forward to working with his former manager again. "I know the kind of football Alan likes to play, and his style of coaching. In fact, I think I've based a lot of my ideas on the training ground on things I experienced when I played for him."

ALAN Buckley is hoping to arrange an opening pre-season fixtures on 11 August - four days after the Dale players report back for training. "The early games will just let people have a run-out," he explained. "I don't expect players to be flying by then. But there's nothing better than games to get fit, so hopefully we can get one in on that date."

MONDAY is the final chance for Dale fans to buy season tickets for the 2003-04 campaign at a discounted rate. Current season ticket holders also have until then to guarantee their seat from last year, after which they will be placed on open sale. The club ticket office is open from 9am to 5pm. For further details contact Rochdale AFC on 01706 644648.